Power Bank Should Not Exceed 160 Wh To be Allowed on Board

In a light of potentials that Power Bank or lithium portable battery backup could explode and cause fire, Director General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation Agus Santoso on 9 March 2018 signed Circular Number: SE.015 of 2018 on the Provisions in Carrying Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) and Lithium Portable Battery Backup on Plane.

Under the Circular, Director General of Civil Aviation instructs Domestic Civil Aviation Enterprises and Foreign Civil Aviation Enterprises to: 1) ask every passenger during check-in procedures whether he/she owns portable battery charger (Power Bank) or Lithium Portable Battery Backup; 2) ensure that portable battery charger (Power Bank) or Lithium Portable Battery Backup carried by the passengers and cabin crews should comply with these following conditions:

1. Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) and Lithium Portable Battery Backup do not connect to other electronic devices; b. Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) and Lithium Portable Battery Backup must be placed in cabin baggage, and should not be kept in checked-baggage; c. only Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) and Lithium Portable Battery Backup that provide power up to 100 Watt hours (Wh) are allowed to be carried by the passenger; d. Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) and Lithium Portable Battery Backup that provide power more than 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh should obtain approval from Domestic Civil Aviation Enterprises and Foreign Civil Aviation Enterprises and are allowed to be carried by the passengers maximum 2 (two) units per passenger; e. Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) and Lithium Portable Battery Backup that provide power more than 160 Wh cannot be identified prohibited to be carried on the plane;

3) held responsible in keeping Power Bank handed by the passengers on check-in counter if it does not comply with the condition; and 4) prohibit passengers and cabin crews from charging by using Portable Battery Charger (Power Bank) on board.

Director General of Civil Aviation also instructs Airport Authority Offices to monitor the implementation of the Circular.

“Thus, (this Circular) is expected to be implemented with full responsibility,” the last dictum of the Circular Letter reads.

The Circular is addressed to: 1. Heads of Airport Authority Offices; 2. Heads of Airport Operator Units; 3. Heads of Domestic Civil Aviation Enterprises; 4. Heads of Representative Office of Foreign Civil Aviation Enterprises; 5. Heads of Airport Business; and 6. Heads of Specialized Business Entities Operations. (EN/Documentation and Legal Information Network of the Ministry of Transportation/ES) (RAS/MUR/MMB/Naster)